Garnett, Wolves win seventh straight

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves hit the road with as much confidence as they've ever had.

Garnett had 22 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists, and Wally Szczerbiak added 26 points and 11 rebounds as Minnesota won its seventh straight, beating New York 99-90 Sunday.

The Wolves, who have won 17 straight at home and 13 of 14 overall, now face a tough eight-game stretch.

They play their next five on the road, including visits to Sacramento, the Lakers and Dallas, then return home to play San Antonio, the Lakers and Portland.

"This road trip is going to be tough because we've been on such a roll here at home," Szczerbiak said. "If we just continue to execute and play our game, we'll be fine."

Minnesota is battling Portland for fourth place in the Western Conference and the final home playoff spot. The Wolves have never made it past the first round of the playoffs.

"If any time is a good time for a road trip, it's now," Garnett said.

Garnett finished one assist short of a triple-double for the second straight game.

Allan Houston scored 21 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter for the Knicks, including four 3-pointers. He helped New York whittle a 29-point first-half deficit to as little as four.

"You get out of things what you put into them," Houston said. "In the second half, that was the case. It was too big a deficit to overcome."

The Knicks fell 4 1/2 games behind the Washington Wizards for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Houston finished 10-for-24 from the field, but teammate Latrell Sprewell was 2-for-14 and scored just six points for the Knicks, who have lost six in a row on the road.

When Houston hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds left, New York was within 89-83. They got as close as 92-88 but the Wolves hit eight of 10 free throws in the final minute to seal the game.

Minnesota improved to 27-5 (.844) at home. Only the Indiana Pacers (25-4, .862) have a better record.

Notes: Garnett leads the NBA with 50 double-doubles. ... From the 10:30 mark of the first quarter to the 6:50 mark of the second, the Knicks made only two field goals. Sprewell and Houston combined to go 2-for-13 in first half. ... Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said guard Rod Strickland and forward Joe Smith would accompany the team on its upcoming road trip. Strickland has missed 15 games because of a groin strain, while Smith has missed 13 due to a sprained ankle. Saunders said it was possible both might be ready near the end of the trip. ... Minnesota is 13-16 on the road. ... The Wolves' seven-game winning streak is the third-longest in team history. ... Wolves backup point guard Mike Wilks has no turnovers in 11 games.

NEW YORK (90)

Harrington 5-9 0-1 10, Sprewell 2-14 2-3 6, Thomas 3-9 0-0 6, Houston 10-24 9-9 34, Eisley 3-12 5-6 13, F.Williams 0-3 0-0 0, Weatherspoon 5-8 4-5 14, Anderson 1-2 0-0 3, Doleac 2-4 0-0 4. Totals 31-85 20-24 90.

MINNESOTA (99)

Szczerbiak 11-19 2-2 26, Garnett 9-19 4-4 22, Nesterovic 6-9 0-0 12, Peeler 1-4 2-4 5, Hudson 1-9 8-8 10, Wilks 1-5 0-0 2, Gill 5-6 0-0 10, Trent 0-3 1-2 1, Jackson 4-6 3-3 11. Totals 38-80 20-23 99.

New York 14 18 23 35 -- 90

Minnesota 31 25 19 24 -- 99

3-Point Goals--New York 8-23 (Houston 5-8, Eisley 2-7, Anderson 1-1, Sprewell 0-7), Minnesota 3-7 (Szczerbiak 2-4, Peeler 1-1, Hudson 0-1, Wilks 0-1). Fouled out--None. Rebounds--New York 48 (Weatherspoon 10), Minnesota 55 (Garnett 16). Assists--New York 22 (Sprewell 5), Minnesota 27 (Garnett 9). Total fouls--New York 21, Minnesota 22. Technicals--Minnesota Defensive Three Second 3. A--15,071 (19,006).